Defending champions Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO) crashed out from quarterfinals of the 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship, losing to Hockey Maharashtra 4-5 in sudden-death shootout after playing a 2-2 draw in the regulation time at District Sports Authority Stadium in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh today.
The Odisha side reached the last-eight stage after winning both of their league matches in Pool-A. Led by Jiwan Kishori Toppo, HAO got off to an explosive start, trouncing Kerala Hockey 13-0 in their first match on February 17. Anupa Barla was the top scorer with four goals, while Olympians Namita Toppo and Lilima Minz contributed two goals each.
The star-studded Odisha team, featuring three Olympians and mayu internationals, crushed Hockey Rajasthan 13-1 in their second and last group-league match on February 19. Punam Barla alone scored five goals, while Aten Topno, Asmita Barla and Rinki Kujur sounded the board twice each. In the previous edition, Odisha had won their first-ever Senior National gold medal, defeating Karnataka 2-0 in the final.
ODISHA SENIOR WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Asima Minz, Prativa Ekka. Defenders: Phelisa Toppo, Mukta Jojo, Rinki Kujur, Namita Toppo, Asmita Barla, Sunita Lakra. Mid-fielders: Lilima Minz, Angela Toppo, Laxami Ekka, Premanjali Toppo, Jiwan Kishori Toppo. Forwards: Dipti Lakra, Athen Topno, Punam Barla, Anupa Barla, Janabi Pradhan. Coach: Edgar Mascarenhas. Support team: Satyaraj (S&C trainer), Dr Arjita Lenka (physio), Rajan Ekra (manager).
ODISHA RESULTS:
February 17 (Pool-A match): Hockey Association of Odisha (Anupa Barla 7-FG, 37-FG, 46-FG, 59-FG; Lilma Minz 10-PC, Asmita Barla 11-PC, Namita Toppo 14-PC, 35-PC; Dipti Lakra 19-FG, Jiwan Kishori Toppo 23-FG, Punam Barla 30-FG, 40-FG; Anjela Toppo 60-FG) beat Kerala Hockey 13-0. PoM: Rinki Kujur.
February 19 (Pool-A match): Hockey Association of Odisha (Punam Barla 1-FG, 3-FG, 29-FG, 46-FG, 47-FG; Dipti Lakra 8-FG, Aten Topno 22-FG, 37-PC; Asmita Barla 39-PC, 40-PC; Rinki Kujur 39-FG, 50-PC; Anupa Barla 57-FG) beat Hockey Rajasthan (Sarita 46-FG) 13-1. PoM: Anupa Barla.
February 23 (Quarter-final): Hockey Association of Odisha (Janhabi Pradhan 36-FG) drew with Hockey Maharashtra (Ashwini Kolekar 37-PC) 1-1. Shootout: Odisha (Janhabi Pradhan, Jiwan Kishori Toppo, Anupa Barla, Punam Barla) lost to Maharashtra (H Lalruatfeli, Akansha Singh, Shalini Bhagwan, Kajal Sadashiv, H Lalruatfeli) 4-5. PoM: Prativa Ekka (HAO).
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PHOTO: Players of Odisha team pose at the 13th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship in Kakinada on 15 February 2023.